BACKGROUND: Guidelines and position papers indicate that allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment, including prevention of the onset of new allergen sensitizations. However, this preventive effect was shown by only a few observational studies. Our aim was to systematically review the efficacy of AIT in preventing the onset of new allergen sensitizations. METHODS: Computerized bibliographic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (through June 2015) were supplemented with manual searches of reference lists...

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with genotype 3 remains a challenge. The HCV elimination rate with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) is lower than the values reported for other HCV genotypes. In addition, genotype 3 infected patients have a higher risk of disease progression and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to review the relevant literature concerning treatment of HCV genotype 3 patients with interferon-free regimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science electronic databases...

This qualitative/quantitative study examines the ethical dilemma of microallocation of health resources. It seeks to identify and compare the opinion of two groups in Portuguese society - students and health professionals - on the importance of personal characteristics of patients at the moment of prioritizing them and if the choices can be explained by bioethical references of a utilitarian or deontological nature. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to a sample of 180 students and 60 health professionals...

BACKGROUND: The Influenza A virus accounts for serious annual viral upper respiratory tract infections. It is constantly able to modify its antigenic structure, thus evading host defence mechanisms. Moreover, currently available anti-influenza agents have a rather limited application, emphasising the further need for new effective treatments. One of them is Ergoferon, a drug, containing combined polyclonal antibodies - anti-interferon gamma, anti-CD4 receptor, and anti-histamine - in released-active form...

OBJECTIVES: To describe (i) the clinical characteristics of workers, exposed to hymenoptera stings, with an ascertained diagnosis of Hymenoptera Venom Allergy (HVA), (ii) the specific role of occupational exposure, (iii) the effect of Venom Immunotherapy (VIT) in reducing the severity of allergic episodes in workers exposed to repeated stings of hymenoptera, and (iv) the management of the occupational consequences caused by allergic reactions due to hymenoptera stings. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2013 an observational study, including patients referred to the regional reference hospital of Liguria, Italy, with an ascertained diagnosis of HVA and treated with VIT, was carried out...

The relationship between Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the Notch pathway was determined to investigate the effect of KLF4 on the activation of hepatic stellate cells and underlying mechanisms. Fifty SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups. A liver fibrosis model was established in 25 mice as the experimental group, and the remaining 25 mice served as controls. On the day 0, 7, 14, and 35, liver tissues were removed for immunofluorescent detection. The Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT was added to the primary original hepatic stellate cells, and KLF4 and Notch-associated factor expression was detected by qRT-PCR...

BACKGROUND Endometrial lesions are common in obstetrics and gynecology, including endometrial polyps, uterine adenomyosis, and malignant endometrial adenocarcinoma. Endometrial lesions seriously affect women's health, fertility, quality of life, and life safety. As a pro-apoptosis gene, p53 is considered to be closely related with human tumors. Murine double mimute 2 (MDM2) is an oncogene that can promote tumor occurrence and development. P53 and MDM2 expression and significance in different types of endometrial lesions have not been fully elucidated...

BACKGROUND: The goal of the treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) is to occlude the arteriovenous shunt and to preserve the patency of the concerned internal carotid artery (ICA). However, for the ipsilateral post-traumatic fragile cerebrum, coil embolization plus parent artery occlusion for the high flow direct CCF would be better for the prevention of hyper-perfusion syndrome and the intracranial hemorrhage. We experienced such a case and managed it successfully. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old boy was suffered from severe head trauma caused by being hit by a car...

Virulence enzymes and biofilm a play crucial role in the pathogenesis of Propionibacterium acnes, a major causative agent of acne vulgaris. In the present study, the effects of rhodomyrtone, a pure compound identified from Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Aiton) Hassk. leaves extract against enzyme production and biofilm formation production by 5 clinical isolates and a reference strain were evaluated. The degree of hydrolysis by both lipase and protease enzymes significantly decreased upon treatment with the compound at 0...

BACKGROUND: Emergency department attendances with chest pain requiring assessment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are a major global health issue. Standard assessment includes history, examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) and serial troponin testing. Computerised tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) enables additional anatomical assessment of patients for coronary artery disease (CAD) but has only been studied in very low-risk patients. This trial aims to investigate the effect of early CTCA upon interventions, event rates and health care costs in patients with suspected/confirmed ACS who are at intermediate risk...

PURPOSE: We describe cases of dislocation or subluxation of the WIOL-CF(®) polyfocal full-optics intraocular lens (IOL) and suggest a consistent pattern and possible mechanism for the IOL instability. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series of five consecutive eyes in three patients with WIOL-CF(®) IOL instability at Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center and Kimkisan Eye Center from 2012 to 2014. The medical records and ocular exam data for these patients were analyzed...

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Critical hand ischemia (CHI) can be devastating and may result in amputation. Distal vessel calcification has been shown to be a major factor in causing CHI. Atherectomy in the upper extremities is not typically considered due to the small anatomy; however, the Diamondback 360° Peripheral Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) (Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.) can access treatment areas with a reference vessel diameter of 1.5mm. METHODS/MATERIALS: A retrospective, observational, single center (Merit Health Center, Jackson, MS) analysis of 11 CHI patients with calcific disease of the radial artery treated with orbital atherectomy (OAS) was completed...

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effectiveness of a custom-made neurostimulator with which to treat patients for refractory trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) at the level of the Gasserian ganglion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 22 patients referred to our pain clinic, AZ Sint-Nikolaas, between 2010 and 2015, was conducted using the McGill Pain and EuroQoL questionnaire before, two weeks after, and at the final follow-up after neurostimulator treatment...

BACKGROUND: The predictive value of the serology to detection of IgM against the Mycobacterium leprae-derived phenolic glycolipid-I/PGL-I to identify leprosy patients who are at higher risk of developing reactions remains controversial. Whether baseline results of the ML Flow test can predict leprosy reactions was investigated among a cohort of patients enrolled in The Clinical Trial for Uniform Multidrug Therapy for Leprosy Patients in Brazil (U-MDT/CT-BR). METHODS: This was a descriptive study focusing on the main clinical manifestations of leprosy patients enrolled in the U-MDT/CT-BR from March 2007 to February 2012 at two Brazilian leprosy reference centers...

We describe a 75-year-old man with undifferentiated prostate cancer that was treated with radiation therapy. He presented at a nearby general hospital with dysuria and pain upon micturition. He was diagnosed with undifferentiated prostate cancer by a needle biopsy and referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance images showed prostate cancer and right obturator lymph node metastasis measuring 2.5 cm. Cystoscopy and colonoscopy revealed direct invasion of the urinary bladder and rectum...

We report a case of recurrent renal cancer in the autografted kidney, treated with percutaneous cryoablation. A 59-year-old man who had bilateral renal tumors underwent radical left nephrectomy, ex vivo right partial nephrectomy and auto-transplantation at the right ileal fossa in our hospital 11 years ago. Histopathological examination showed clear cell renal cell carcinoma in bilateral kidneys (pT1bN0M0). He had been followed at another hospital without tumor recurrence for 11 years. In 2014, an enhanced CT scan revealed a renal tumor with a diameter of two centimeters in the autografted kidney, which was thought to be a recurrence of the initial renal cancer...

BACKGROUND: The management of pressure ulcers involves several interventions ranging from pressure-relieving measures such as repositioning, to treatments that can include reconstructive surgery. Such surgery may be considered for recalcitrant wounds when full thickness skin loss arises and deeper structures such as muscle fascia and even bone are exposed. The surgery commonly involves wound debridement followed by the addition of new tissue into the wound. Whilst reconstructive surgery is an accepted means of ulcer management, the benefits and harms of surgery compared with non-surgical treatments, or alternative surgical approaches are not clear...